Snib the Unnamed
Character Type: NPC
Build Type: Min-maxed
Build Role: Scout / Tracker / Saboteur
By Elgrin’s Empty Scrollcase, Did That Pebble Just Wink at Me?
There’s quiet… and then there’s Snib.
No one knows his real name — not even Mike. Folk just started callin’ him “Snib” after the third time he vanished mid-sentence and left behind a pile of precisely stacked pebbles. Nobody’s sure if he’s a rogue, a ranger, or just a particularly disgruntled spirit of passive aggression.
He’s small. Halfling-sized, maybe goblin-blooded. Wears a patchwork cloak made of old letters and stolen tavern menus. His eyes flick like candlelight on the wind. And when he wants ya to know somethin’? He’ll flick a pebble at yer head.
I once hired Snib to find a stolen barrel of Dwarven Deepmalt. Not only did he find it, he returned it before I finished asking, replaced the tavern locks, left a diagram of the thief’s route, and somehow ate all the evidence. Never said a word.
Still hasn’t.
He don’t talk. He just solves.
👉 For more NPCs who get things done while yer still exposin’ yer backstory, check out the rest of the Player Builds & NPCs file. Don’t worry. Snib’s probably already read it.
How to Use Snib at Your Table
Snib’s perfect as a recurring helper, a morally grey tracker, or the “voice of reason” who never actually speaks. He communicates via:
Tossed pebbles
Etchings on wood
Deep, disappointed sighs
Personality
Doesn’t talk. Not out of trauma — just doesn’t care to.
Every movement is exact. Blinks once every 8 seconds.
Seems to know what you need before you do. Often leaves it nearby.
Combat Style
Knife in the dark. Trap-layer. Disabler, not killer.
Will not fight unless cornered — and even then, it’s over in seconds.
Uses darts, slingstones, caltrops, and smoke bombs.
Dialogue Hooks (via others)
“Snib nodded once. That means he agrees.”
“He left three pebbles. That means don’t open that door.”
“Where is he? …Right behind you. Always.”
Recommended Pairings
Weapon: Whisperfang, the Moon-Touched Dagger — silent, light, and leaves no trace
Trinket: Rook’s Folded Map — Snib never gets lost. He just chooses not to be found.
Setting: Drop him in The Count’s Wine Cellar — he fits right in with the silent operators there.
He also makes a brilliant foil to The Rogue Who Hates Stealing. Together, they’re a whole ethics seminar with blades.
Some NPCs monologue. Snib’ll rewrite yer will with a glance.
👉 Need a scout that don’t waste words and don’t leave tracks? Stop by Mike’s Tavern or slip a pebble through our mailbox — we’ll know what it means.
⚠️ And if yer pockets feel lighter after reading this? Snib says hi.
FAQ
Q: Can players learn Snib’s real name?
A: Maybe. But good luck gettin’ him to acknowledge it. He once blinked twice when someone guessed “Derek.” That’s the closest we’ve got.
Q: Is he for hire?
A: Technically no. But if yer cause is just, yer money untouched, and yer socks match, he might help. Might.
